Morgan Community Association (MoCA)

Below is a letter that was sent to King County on April 29, regarding the Murray Combined Sewerage Overflow project.

C:                   King County Exeuctive Dow Constantine

King County Councilmember Jan Drago

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn

Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce  Harrell

Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden

MoCA Vice President Chas Redmond

MoCA Secretary Steve Sindiong

MoCA Treasurer Dave Fansler

MoCA Information Officer Cindi Barker

Deb Barker, Presiding 

4 Executive Bd. Members, 75 neighborhood residents, representatives from W Seattle Blog, King County, Seattle Police Dept., Seattle Attorneys Office, and Seattle Fire Dept., and Seattle Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Announcements – Deb Barker

• Parks Opportunity Fund – Three Morgan Junction projects have gone through the Two Phase application process. MOCA endorsed the Partial Place project (Contact is Frank Taylor); Vlad Oustimovich applied for the Orca project which would use private property, and Friends of Orchard Street Ravine (FOSTR) applied for an expansion of the Orchard Street Ravine using private property (Contact is Ann Martin). A status report will be given at the July MOCA meeting.
• Water Taxi Stop – A free shuttle service now operates between Morgan Junction and the water taxi (Route 773). Service is on Monday thru Friday, between 9:45am and 1:30pm.
• Myrtle Street Reservoir – The City Parks & Recreation Dept. is proceeding with park construction, including placing bids. The City is waiting for the grass to be established before the fence can be removed. Construction is anticipated to begin in June.

Crime Prevention – Benjamin Kinlow, City of Seattle (Police Dept.) / John McGoodwin, City of Seattle (Attorneys Office)

• Mr. Kinlow presented information on block watch organization. Ten year crime statistics are available on the department’s webpage. National Night Out will occur on Tues, August 3; The Precinct picnic will be on Sat, August 21.
• Mr. McGoodwin gave information on a graffiti offender (Ryan Cox) who is currently on probation. If anyone sees any graffiti being conducted, call 911. 

State Representative Candidate – Joe Fitzgibbon

• Mr. Fitzgibbon is running for the State House of Representatives (34^th District). He is currently the legislative assistant for Rep. Nelson, and the Chair of the Burien Planning Commission. He wants to resolve the root causes of major issues, including funding basic education, and Combined Sewerage Overflow. A candidate’s forum will be held on April 27 in Burien.

Kenney Home Status – TJ Lehman, Euclid Development

• Mr. Lehman is the owner’s representative for the Kenney Expansion. The Kenney applied for the Masters Use Permit, and will need to undergo design review. They have received the first round of community comments. They are focusing on making the development smaller based on comments. They will bring the revised concept back to the community once it is redesigned. 

Rapid Ride – Chris Arkills, King County

• The Fauntleroy ferry terminal stop design will be complete in late August. Design of other stops has resumed. Construction will begin in January 2011. Service planning for redistributing hours from existing routes will occur from Fall 2011 thru Sept. 2012. The West Seattle C Line will begin operating (in conjunction with other rapid ride lines) in September 2012.

Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF) – Steve Sindiong

• A Large Project Fund (Bridging the Gap) project (applied for by MOCA) was approved in early 2010 for pedestrian improvements along California Avenue at Holden St., Othello St., and Frontenac St. The improvements will focus on improved pedestrian crossings, and some portions may be funded through existing programs. A smaller fund (Cumulative Reserve Fund) project was also approved last year for a pedestrian facility on the west side of SW 44^th Street between Webster and Fontanelle Streets. The current funding is for planning / design. The neighborhood applied for a 2010 project for construction.

Spokane Street Viaduct / Beach Drive Construction – Deb Barker

• The First Ave onramp to the WS Bridge will be closed starting May 17. Alternate routes include Marginal Way to the lower bridge, or Holgate to the WS Bridge. SDOT has provided maps to the community showing detours.
• SDOT installed an ecology block wall to provide catchment for debris so that Beach Dr. can be reopened to two way traffic on Feb 22. Next steps for permanent repair are being studied. In addition, DPD is requiring installation of a tight-lined drain pipe to the bottom of the hill by property owners, as well as a geotechnical report.

Morgan Junction Festival– Cindi Barker / Steve Sindiong

• The annual festival will be on Saturday June 12 from 11am to 7pm, and include the Bite of Morgan again. We are looking for volunteers for set up, clean up, posting posters, and sprucing up the park. The Bubble Man will not be able to do his show until 5pm, but residents generally felt that was okay. 

Murray Pump Station / Combined Sewerage Overflow (CSO) – Tammy Kellogg, Kellogg Consulting, Martha Tuttle, King County

• King County is seeking comment on the three alternatives currently under consideration. The County gave a presentation on the approaches, requirements, and alternatives. Initially, 9 alternatives were examined. The three current alternatives include 1) A 350’ above-grade storage pipe along Beach Drive / Murray Ave.; 2) A storage tank at Lowman Beach Park; and 3) A combined pipe and storage tank. Construction is expected to take 1.5 to 2 years. The Beach Drive alternative would require closing a portion of Beach Drive during the construction.
• General questions from the audience on the presentation included: Impacts of the above grade storage; scale of tanks; whether a replacement park would be built.
• Comments on the project included: The peak reduction alternative should be further explored; Need the details of the analysis that resulted in the current alternatives available to the public; Additional meetings are required; The Lowman Beach Park alternative will have significant impacts to its users; A decision should not be delayed in order to protect the environment; Property values and park character would be impacted by park alternative; Closure of Beach Drive will require a major detour to Jacobson; Need an improved community outreach process; Need for elevation drawings; The “green” alternative should be pushed further; Consider using the Kenney redevelopment as part of the project; The website should have more information; King Co. and the City need to work together with the community; Consider making the Barton facility larger; A stakeholder group should be formed, and the public review process lengthened; The planned facility is likely being undersized; Reconsider the Murray Ave triangle property.
• Next steps – Feedback will be received through the end of April to be considered for the three alternatives. The comments will be posted to the project webpage. The alternatives will then be further evaluated and a preferred alternative is expected in July. Then the SEPA process will begin.
• Contact information

1. Martha Tuttle – 206-684-1207
2. Email – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
3. Web – kingcounty.gov/csobeachprojects

Next MOCA Meeting to be July 21, 2010, 7pm.

Deb Barker, Presiding

4 Executive Bd. Members, 10 neighborhood residents, representatives from W Seattle Blog, and Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods.

 Announcements – Deb Barker

• Murray Pump Project/Combined Sewerage Overflow - A meeting will be scheduled by King County to discuss the three current project alternatives the week of March 15 – more to come.
• Seattle City Light Task Force – The task force goal is to develop solutions for improving the City’s power grid. City Light is looking for volunteers for the task force. If interested, contact Stan Lock (Dept. of Neighborhoods), or MOCA. A resident (Tony Stepan) said he was interested.  

 Levy Funds – Morgan Junction Allocation – Chip Nevins, City of Seattle 

• Mr. Nevins is the acquisition planner for the 2008 Parks Levy. The $146 million levy includes $30 million for acquisitions, and $24 million for acquisitions for neighborhood parks. Morgan Junction has been identified as an underserved area. The park sites should be at least 10,000 square feet. The City is seeking input on vacant or underutilized parcels. The Parks Department has heard though the Neighborhood Planning status workshops that improving the Green Crescent was an important need.  Suggestions from the community at the MOCA meeting included the following sites: Huling Bros. property (outside of Morgan Jct), vacant site at NW corner of California/ Graham Street, Church on 42^nd at Juneau, Graham at 50^th Avenue, the Eddy Street Ravine, the lot behind Starbucks, Gatewood Elementary School, and developing greenspace within the street rights of way. 

Parks Levy 2010 Opportunity Fund – Deb Barker/ Ann Martin 

• The Parks Department will be allocating $1.5 million for a parks project. Four applications in the Morgan Junction neighborhood have been submitted, including: Orchard Street Ravine property acquisition, the Fairmount Playfield, property adjacent the Green Crescent, and transferring the Eddy Street Right of Way to Parks. Project proposal letters are due Feb 1, and the applications are due in April. A proposal letter is required for all applications.
• Ann Martin presented a project for the Orchard Street Ravine. The Friends of Orchard Street Ravine (FOSTR) is asking for street vacations along 38^th Street SW, and Orchard Street, and acquisition of a vacant parcel at 7137 38^th Avenue SW, so that the existing recently developed green space can be protected from potential development of the parcel. A motion was approved by MOCA that supports the Orchard Street Ravine project. 

Morgan Junction Festival – Cindi Barker 

• MOCA is looking for guidance on the festival date. Last year’s festival date in June worked well. The Board is leaning toward the weekend of June 12/13 which is the driest period; another option is June 26/27. No major conflicts were identified. The festival will likely include the “Bite of Morgan Junction” again, and more arts/crafts vendors. MOCA is looking for volunteers to help with the Bite, arranging for vendors, and helping to set up / take down.  

SW District Council Update – Chas Redmond

• Chas Redmond serves on the SW District Council and spoke to their mission/vision. The District Council meets the 1^st Wednesday of each month. In 2010, the meetings will be organized to have guest speakers during the first hour, and the second hour will focus on a discussion of what West Seattle should look like, in preparation for the Neighborhood Plan updates. This will give the Board time to begin strategizing on issues such as Green Streets, gateways, overlay districts, etc. MOCA has discussed the need for focusing on connectivity, the build form, and open spaces.  

Updates 

• SW Police Precinct – There was a report that there is a rise in car thefts and prowls in West Seattle, and burglaries have also increased.  
• Kenney Home Expansion – The Master User Permit (MUP) application was filed December 28, 2009, and found complete on January 7, 2010. The project will have a contract rezone from LD to MR, and need a SEPA application and guidance from the Design Review Board. The project will also require an application for the vacation of 46^th Street SW, and relocation of the Seaview Building. The comment period has been extended to February 3. TJ Lehmen (Euclid Development LLC) the Owners representative, noted that the project plans should be available for presentation at the April MOCA meeting. Most of the concerns heard from the public relate to traffic, parking, massing on the west edge, and height/bulk/scale. 
• Spokane Street Viaduct – The West Seattle Blog has information on the latest closures and detours, and a newsletter was mailed to West Seattle residents. 
• Orchard Street Ravine Pedestrian Improvements – The Cumulative Reserve Fund (CRF) project that was awarded is mostly complete. The kiosk was recently installed, and the hiker safety signage will be installed in late January. 
• West Seattle Trails – The Fauntleroy area is the next neighborhood to have signage installed. The City is requiring $1 million in liability insurance for kiosks, and permission from adjacent property owners, as well as a variance. Community input for the Morgan Junction signage will be needed in late February. 
• Stalled Projects – The project at the 5800 block of California Avenue (west side) is now underway. The site at the NW corner of California at Graham Street is still for sale. A request was made to plant wildflower seeds on the property and have the fencing removed in the interim. Mr. Lehmen will look into the request. 
• Myrtle Street Reservoir – The plans are 98% complete. The turf has not yet been established yet. 
• Next MOCA Meeting to be April 21, 2010

Morgan Community Association Quarterly Meeting

October 21, 2009 – The Kenney

Deb Barker, Presiding

3 Executive Bd. Members, 10 neighborhood residents, representatives from W Seattle Blog, and King County.

Announcements – Deb Barker

Fauntleroy Paving Project: An overview of the project status as provided by Jessica Murphy, SDOT. Project is substantially complete with some outstanding issues including conflicting pavement markers. Question was raised about signal phasing at Edmunds Street. Project will be completed in approximately two weeks.

Myrtle Reservoir – Project status provided by Virginia Hassinger – SPU will turn the facility back to Parks after the grass is established. Contract work is scheduled for late November/December, and construction to begin in February 2010.

Power Outage – City Light has looked into the West Seattle infrastructure and would like to come to a future MOCA meeting to talk about the power grid and improvements that are needed.

Kenney Home – The Seaview Bldg. was approved as a Seattle Landmark. The owner is working with the City on identification of regulated portions of the building. An Early Design Guidance meeting will be held tomorrow (Oct 22) at 6:30pm at the Youngstown Arts Center. Discussion will focus on the transitions around the building.

Homestead Restaurant – Since the fire in January, the owners have made proposals to the Alki Community Council. The SW Historical Society has written a letter asking the owners to restore the building to pre-fire construction, and asked MOCA to join in the letter. The MOCA board declined any position on the matter at this time.

Spokane Street / Rapid Ride projects – A report was provided by Jack Latteman (King Co.); SDOT’s portion of design work for Spokane St. was delayed by environmental review conditions. Work will proceed soon. On Rapid Ride, design is proceeding for the West Seattle route, including civil and electrical design. ITS design is mostly complete. Two demonstration stations will be in place by September 2011. At that time, the Route 54 service will be ramped up as mitigation for the viaduct (10-15 minute headways during peak).

Neighborhood Park Update – At the last MOCA meeting, Frank Taylor asked for interest in developing a park on a private lot for sale. The owner of the lot must now sell sooner than expected, so a park on the site is unlikely.

Lowman Beach Pump Station – Martha Tuttle, King County

Martha Tuttle provided an overview of the project and the Combined Sewerage Overflow program. The goal is to reduce overflows to once per year by 2030. The County would like to know the best way to get people interested in the project. While the Barton basin is moving forward, the Murray basin has been delayed due to budget constraints. The electrical and wet well work have been completed. A new odor control and emergency generator is to be installed. An open house was held two weeks ago, with little turn out. The County is working on alternatives, including storage tanks, convey and treatment, onsite treatment, and peak flow reduction. A public meeting will be held in February 2010, and the alternatives will be presented. There was discussion on ways that the information can be made more interesting to the public, including use of web sites, working with Sustainable West Seattle, a demonstration project, and use of public information.

Neighborhood Plan Update – Cindi Barker / Kate Stineback

A successful open house was held last summer at the Youngstown Arts Center. The Morgan table had a very high turnout. A summary of the results of the open house and survey are now available. The next public meeting will be held on November 5 (6-8pm) at Mercer Middle School on Beacon Hill. The City will provide an assessment of the key themes for neighborhood plan updates, citywide initiatives to inform the plans (ie, the Pedestrian Master Plan), and use the meeting to determine what else is needed for the planning process.

Orchard Street Ravine Pedestrian Safety Project – Cindi Barker

The project is moving forward. It will include signage to warn motorists of pedestrians, and a kiosk at the top of the road near the trail that provides pedestrian safety information.

HUB Exercise – Cindi Barker

Morgan Junction was one of the West Seattle Communications Hubs that participated in both the West Seattle wide Hub drill on Sept 18^th and the Citywide drill of the Auxiliary Communication Service on Oct 10^th. Deb Barker has now been trained as a Morgan Junction responder, so the full MoCA board stands ready to provide backup to the main operator.

Stalled Projects – Deb Barker

The Live/Work Units at the corner of California and Graham have been delayed while the owner looks for a new owner. The other Live/Work Units at 6031 California (one block north of Graham) were delayed because the sheer walls needed to be redesigned and submitted. The project will be moving forward soon.

Parks Levy – Cindi Barker

Cindi noted that the Parks Levy will provide funding for a new park in the Morgan Urban Village. She suggested that we see what comments arise related to parks through the Neighborhood Planning process, and use the information to help guide what type of new park facilities are needed.

Emergency Preparedness - Morgan Junction participated in a recent drill of the West Seattle Communications Hubs.  Cindi Barker and Deb Barker staffed the Morgan location, Paul Sureddin stopped in to observed, and we also had two observers from Queen Anne/Magnolia.  Due to our proximity to the radio repeater that supports the Hub system, we had good to excellent communication with all the other hub locations from Alki to Fauntleroy.  See Debs picture at http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=20811. 

Neighborhood Plan Update process – we expect the results of both the Neighborhood Planning Status Check Open House and the on-line survey to be posted by early October.  Thank you to the 210 people who took the time to give their opinion about Morgan Junction!